We may have started the lazy days of summer, but June is packed with fun food events and festivals. Personally, I'm hopeful that I finally make it to the Luling Watermelon Thump. See you at a festival!
Blanco Lavender Festival, Friday 6/11-Sunday 6/13: This weekend you can tour four lavender farms near Blanco and shop for lavender products at the marketplace at the Blanco Courthouse. The courthouse festivities also include guest speakers and cooking demonstrations.Movie Night at Montesino Farm, Sunday June 13th, 6:30 pm. Join the folks at Montesino Ranch for dinner and a screening of Fresh the movie with an informal farm tour, delicious family style fixins brought to you by Chef Matthew Buchannan of The Leaning Pear at 7:30. When the sun sets they will show Fresh, a film that focuses on the ever growing local food movement. Tickets are $30 and ALL proceeds will go to The Wimberley Crisis Bread Basket. You can purchase tickets at The Leaning Pear, 512-847-PEAR or from The Farm @ Montesino Ranch at either Wimberley Farmer's Market or the SFC Market in Sunset Valley. Additional donations will be accepted at the door. B.Y.O.B. Seats are provided for the dinner, but bring your own chair or blanket for watching the film. Please contact David if you have any questions, 512-393-4474.
Saving the Maize Dinner, Monday 6/14, 6:00 pm: If you're considering attending the Saving the Maize dinner at El Sol y La Luna Restaurant (600 E 6th St. 444-7770) featuring guest chef Pilar Cabrera from Oaxaca City, Claudia Alarcon has provided a peak at the menu:
Esquites, servido con chile, limón, queso seco y mayonesa
Fresh corn kernels tossed with lime juice, chile, grated cheese and mayonnaise
2º. Tiempo/ Second course
Botanita maicera/ Corn appetizer sampler
quesadillas de flor de calabaza, molotes de papa con chorizo acompañados con guacamole
Squash blossom quesadillas, masa cakes filled with chorizo and potatoes, and guacamole
3er. Tiempo/ Third course
Ensalada Oaxaca
Mezcla de lechugas, tomate cherry, cebollitas asadas, tiritas de tortillas, queso Oaxaca servida con aderezo de tamarindo y chile
Mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, grilled onions, tortilla strips and Oaxaca cheese with a tamarind-chile dressing
4º. Tiempo/ Fourth course
Mole amarillo con pollo, chochoyotes y verduras, sazonado con hierbasanta
Chicken in yellow mole with masa dumplings, vegetables and hierbasanta
or
Quesillo en salsa verde con nopalitos
Oaxaca cheese in green salsa with cactus pad strips
5º. Tiempo/ fifth course
Pastel de elote, servido con helado de vainilla
Corn pudding, served with vanilla ice cream
Tickets are $35 with proceeds benefiting MAMAZ outreach programs. You can buy tickets in advance at El Sol y La Luna.
Market in the Country, Saturday, June 19th, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Rhew Orchard House, a vendor at the New Braunfels and Pearl farmers markets, and two other farms in Wilson County are hosting a day of country markets on Saturday June 19. You can pick your own blackberries, enjoy homemade ice cream and farm fresh tomatoes. If you are looking for a fun day trip, this one promises some tasty treats.
Luling Watermelon Thump, Thursday 6/24-Sunday 6/27. For four days, you celebrate all things watermelon with the folks of Luling. Festivities include watermelon eating contests, seed spitting competitions, live music and all the watermelon you can stomach.
Slow Food Austin Texas Artisan Showcase, Saturday, June 26th, 4:00 – 8:00pm, Space 12
Take part in this delicious revolution while sampling palate pleasing artisan foods that are all “good, clean and fair.” Enjoy what makes our state taste great: from beers and breads, cheese and charcuterie, to coffee and tea! This family-friendly event will feature live music, a marketplace, silent auction, educational producer demos and a live auction finale by Dai Due Butcher Shop’s Jesse Griffiths you won’t want to miss!
For $60 ($55 for Slow Food members), you’ll get a total of 18 punches on your ticket: use them however you wish, but we suggest a visit to all 12 tasting stations, plus 6 more chances to revisit your favorites! Each station will serve a small “flight” of samples.
Budget-conscious Slow Foodies have the option of a 12-punch ticket for $40 ($35 for Slow Food members). You can buy tickets on the Slow Food Austin website.
